Fifteen Signs You’re in an Abusive Relationship with the Government
Fully 80% of New Year’s resolutions fail by February, with only 8% of resolutions kept year-long. After the holidays, many people endeavor to eat healthier or exercise more. It’s as simple as committing to floss or exercise daily. That is until you run out of floss and forget to buy more… or are too sore for exercise the next day. It’s easy to fall out of new habits.
Here’s a resolution worth keeping: Stop allowing abusive relationships to continue. If you have ever lived through an emotionally abusive relationship, you already know the signs. However if you’re unaware, it can be hard to accept or realize that you’re already in one. I’m in one. You’re in one. (Yes, you!) We’re all in an abusive relationship together.
As the infographic below describes: “Abusive relationships can arise anywhere – with partners, friends, families, workplaces or governments.” [Emphasis added].
Here are the warning signs of an abusive relationship, along with current examples of how governments are offenders, most of which you’ll likely recognize:
You may be in an abusive relationship if they…
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Stop you seeing friends and family
We are all in this together, apart.
“Stay home, stay safe.” That’s what we’re told. At first, it was temporary: Staying apart would slow the spread, flatten the curve, preserve hospital capacity and the energy of our exhausted healthcare workers. And we followed along, believing that staying apart would keep us together.
To date, many bars, restaurants, and cafes are still closed or have capacity limits and some have closed permanently. Border closures and travel restrictions prevent people from congregating with family for holidays or taking vacations. Even neighborly gatherings are subject to curfews or bans. Then, there is the tragedy of loved ones dying alone in hospitals or long-term care facilities due to restrictions.
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Won’t let you go out without permission
The government has provided lists of what they consider essential for maintaining critical infrastructure operations. Are you an essential worker?
While it may seem that your movements are not restricted in most places within the US, there are many other countries where going out means possible abuse by police and authorities for arbitrary violations or fines for breaking lockdown orders.
In France, citizens need papers to validate their reason for being out. In one of the toughest lockdowns seen in Australia this past year, 3,000 tenants were forcibly kept from leaving their apartments – separating partners and children from parents. These continued breaches of public trust will undoubtedly spread as reports of human rights abuses pour in.
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Tell you what to wear
In March, Dr Fauci told 60 Minutes that people should not be wearing masks:
The masks are important for someone who is infected, to prevent them from infecting someone else. […] Right now in the United States, people should not be walking around with masks. […] There’s no reason to be walking around with a mask.
And acknowledges that they are more symbolic, noting:
When you’re in the middle of an outbreak, wearing a mask might make people ‘feel’ a little bit better, it might even block a droplet. But it’s not providing the perfect protection that people think it is.
Most states have mandated masks, which are now a “cultural icon” signalling individuals’ “social responsibility and good citizenship.” And if you want to be extra-safe, (or extra-socially conscious) follow Fauci’s lead and wear two. If you want to be extra, extra safe, goggles may also be a good idea.
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Monitor your phone or emails
In an effort to promote public health and stay ahead of government regulations, tech companies Apple and Google have begun including Covid notification systems in mobile devices’ operating systems updates. Voluntary downloads of contact-tracing apps, such as the French government’s TousAntiCovid app, have been encouraged by states. Others have been more forceful in active monitoring.
For instance, Taiwanese resident Milo Hsieh woke up to two police officers knocking on his door after his phone’s battery ran out for 15 minutes. The dead battery triggered an automatic notification of potential quarantine breach, prompting authorities to send warning text messages and (missed) calls before conducting an in-person check.
https://www.aier.org/article/fifteen-signs-youre-in-an-abusive-relationship-with-the-government/
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